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Small School Players Lighting it Up

Small School Players Lighting it Up
Hector Marquez
Hector Marquez December 23, 2025 @ 01:56 PM
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In this article:

Tayton Pace
Tayton Pace 6'5" | CG/SG | 2028
UT
Haygen Jameson
Haygen Jameson 6'3" | SF | 2026
UT
Jrue Miller
Jrue Miller 6'2" | CG | 2028
UT
Cooper Crockett
Cooper Crockett 6'9" | PF | 2026
UT
Raidon Barney
Raidon Barney 6'9" | PF/C | 2027
UT
James Matsen
James Matsen 6'6" | SG | 2026
UT
<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>While the big classification playersWhile the major classification players receive significant coverage, there's talent in the smaller schools and rural areas of Utah. Many of these players excel in multiple sports. [player_tooltip player_id='2277256' first='James' last='Matsen'], for instance, possesses next-level size and shooting ability, making him an ideal prospect for Division III. Copper Crockett is another player who consistently demonstrates his next-level potential and continues to expand his game's versatility. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2277256' first='James' last='Matsen']. American Heritage</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matsen is not only scoring at an impressive pace but also leading the state in scoring, averaging an astonishing 27 points per game. In the past three games, he has been on a roll, hitting an impressive 11 three-pointers. His performance has shown no signs of slowing down, making him a standout talent from a small school with the potential to make a significant impact at the college level. If he can maintain this level of play while facing tough defensive challenges, imagine what he can achieve when he's paired with superior college athletes. The results would be similar or even better. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='3102867' first='Jrue' last='Miller'], Rowland Hall</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When a player can score 40 points in a game, that is unreal, but Miller has been able to do it 3 times this year, and it would not be crazy to think he could do it 3 more times. Miller is playing at a small private school, and he can score in so many ways. Only a class of 2028 prospect, but he is making a big-time splash as a sophomore. Miller has shooting ability from beyond the arc, but he also defends and picks up a ton of steals. Miller could be a riser in the class all year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Dynote, Blackmore, Water Canyon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Blackmore is a new name from a small rural school that has been playing some unreal ball. He is basically averaging over 20 PPG and also rebounding in the double digits. The 6'2 wing is a do-it-all athlete, and he is having a monster year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='2604919' first='Raidon' last='Barney'], South Sevier</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Barney has been impressive for a few years now, but this season he is just more consistent. He has the length and the skill set to play anywhere on the floor. He has a bit of a swagger out on the floor. Plays with a good motor on both ends of the floor. He is set to have a big-time year and could blow up this grassroots season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jace Nielson, Utah Military Camp Williams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 6'4 guard has been a menace on the glass. He is out there trying to get every rebound. While he shoots the ball well, he is making a killing down inside. He has 3 double-doubles this year and could rack up 3-5 more if you ask me. He should be among the best scorers in the state throughout the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jacob Christiansen, Rockwell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Christiansen has been a real force to be reckoned with for Rockwell. Small schools, don't let this kid get too cocky. He's going to blow you away. He had a 44-point game, and he went on a 9-three-pointer rampage in the same game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Others:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3219703' first='Haygen' last='Jameson'], Tintic</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2889131' first='Cooper' last='Crockett'], American Leadership Academy</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Tayton Pace, North Summit</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rocky Rhoades, Tabiona</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->

While the big classification playersWhile the major classification players receive significant coverage, there's talent in the smaller schools and rural areas of Utah. Many of these players excel in multiple sports. James Matsen James Matsen James Matsen 6'6" | SG American Heritage | 2026 State UT , for instance, possesses next-level size and shooting ability, making him an ideal prospect for Division III. Copper Crockett is another player who consistently demonstrates his next-level potential and continues to expand his game's versatility.

[player_tooltip player_id='2277256' first='James' last='Matsen']. American Heritage Matsen is not only scoring at an impressive pace but also leading the state in scoring, averaging an astonishing 27 points per game. In the past three games, he has been on a roll, hitting an impressive 11 three-pointers. His performance has shown no signs of slowing down, making him a standout talent from a small school with the potential to make a significant impact at the college level. If he can maintain this level of play while facing tough defensive challenges, imagine what he can achieve when he's paired with superior college athletes. The results would be similar or even better. [player_tooltip player_id='3102867' first='Jrue' last='Miller'], Rowland Hall When a player can score 40 points in a game, that is unreal, but Miller has&hellip;

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